Oklahoma attorney general dismisses assault charges against officer who threw 71-year-old man to the ground

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma’s Republican attorney general on Friday dismissed felony charges against a police officer who fatally shot a 71-year-old man during an argument over a traffic ticket. He fell to the ground and broke his neck.

Kintner Drummond announced he had intervened in the case and dismissed aggravated assault and battery charges against Oklahoma City police Sgt. Joseph Gibson, 28 years old.

Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna filed charges against Gibson this month after police released body camera footage showing Lich Vu touching Gibson during an argument following a noninjury traffic accident on Oct. 27. Gibson threw Lich Vu to the ground.

“As Attorney General, I will not allow Oklahoma State Police officers to face criminal prosecution for actions that comply with training,” Drummond said in a statement. “While the outcome of this incident will undoubtedly have a profound impact on Mr. Wu and “It’s devastating for the family, but I don’t think the officer showed criminal intent.”

Vu suffered brain bleeding and fractures to his neck and eye socket, prosecutors said.

A message sent to Behenna seeking comment on Drummond’s decision was not immediately returned. She previously said that after evaluating the case, prosecutors determined Gibson’s actions were an unreasonable use of force.

Drummond said Wu should not have touched Gibson during the altercation.

“No one is allowed to hit or push a police officer, regardless of whether he or she does not understand English or is from a different culture,” Drummond said. “The simple fact is that had Mr. Wu not intervened, this unfortunate incident would have been It won’t happen.”

The use of force sparked outrage among Oklahoma City’s Vietnamese community, especially since the video showed Vu struggling to communicate during his interactions with Gibson and appearing not to understand what the officer was telling him.

Gibson’s attorney, former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter, said Drummond’s decision to drop the charges was “well-founded and correct.”

Mark Nelson, president of the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police, said no officer wants to see someone injured and he hopes Vu can make a quick and full recovery.

“However, our members often have to make split-second decisions and they have no control over the outcome of every situation,” Nelson said in a statement. “Unfortunately, when someone resists law enforcement, they put themselves or others at risk. Risk of harm.”